Gallery: Piñatas by Roberto Benavidez

South Texan fine artist Roberto Benavidez gives wing to the craft of papier mâché. Inspired by 16th-century paintings and multicultural art, he creates stunning piñatas of birds and other creatures. But you wouldn’t want to break open these sculptures: Benavidez painstakingly decorates them with layer upon layer of hand-cut crepe paper, referencing photos of specific birds as he works, and enhancing each bird’s feathers and coloring with fanciful embellishments like serrated fringe or metallic papers. “As an artist, I take inspiration from the natural world,” he says. “Nature is a precious resource.” 

All photos © Roberto Benavidez

White Breasted Nuthatch

WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH

Meadowlark No 2

MEADOWLARK NO. 2

PAINTED BUNTING NO. 2 (MALE)

PAINTED BUNTING NO. 2 (MALE)

PAINTED BUNTING NO. 3 (FEMALE)

PAINTED BUNTING NO. 3 (FEMALE)

EUROPEAN ROBIN

EUROPEAN ROBIN

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD NO. 2

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD NO. 2

White Breasted Nuthatch

MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD

SILVER-LACED FRIZZLE

SILVER-LACED FRIZZLE

PATTERSON HUMMINGBIRD

PATTERSON HUMMINGBIRD

 GOLDEN-FRONTED WOODPECKER

GOLDEN-FRONTED WOODPECKER

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD

BLACK-CRESTED TITMOUSE

BLACK-CRESTED TITMOUSE

MEADOWLARK NO. 3

MEADOWLARK NO. 3

BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD

BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD

PILEATED WOODPECKER

PILEATED WOODPECKER

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